Posted by Bonnie M. on December 29, 2001 at 07:04:29:
In Reply to: EMERGENCY!!! (longish) posted by Lacy on December 26, 2001 at 14:39:08:
You need to get it to a wildlife rehabilitator ASAP. It may already be too late for him, but that's his best chance at any type of hope. Goto http://www.tc.umn.edu~devo0028/contact.htm and look under your state. He needs to be on antibiotics and possibly have the leg either pinned or amputated depending upon how bad the infection is now. Unfortunately, after this long, there may be no hope, as bones typically have already started to mend on their own, however they are.
: I live in Oklahoma and about two and a half months ago I found a possum that had been attacked by a dog. I thought for sure he was dead, so all I did was move him to where nothing could eat it. The next day, I went and looked and he was still lying there but he was moving around. He was evidentlly a fighter! I took him inside a soaked him in warm water. He has three major injuries: A bite on the side of his head that went through his skull, a bite on the underside of his head (can't tell how deep) and a broken back-left leg. The bites have have healed and are no longer a problem. My mom and I take him out of the pet carrier that we keep him in about 3 - 4 times a day. In the past month, he has been rattling the cage door to let us know that he wants out. He hobbles around the house, goes "potty" which is always in the same spot (and thank God it's never runny, I would hate cleaning that up every time) he eats (we feed him lots of fruits and nuts and grub worms, meal worms, earthworms etc.) and DRINKS A LOT of water!! It doesn't look like he can use his broken leg at all and there is an infection right now on it. I think it's because the broken part is maybe poking tissue on the inside or something.. We have tried and tried to find a vet that will help us, but the only one we have found wants to put him to sleep. I think he has a Very good chance to survive. If no one wants to adopt him and take better care of him that me and my mom are able to, please let me know. If not, please help us nurse him back to health with your advice.. Thank you. Oh, by the way, we named him Gimpy :)
